Costa Europa was originally built for the Genoa based Home Lines as Homeric II. This line began operating in 1946 using converted liners as cruise ships. Homeric was the last ship built for the Home Lines as they were taken over by the Holland America Line in 1988. Her cruise destinations for the Home Lines were from New York - Bermuda in summer and Port Everglades - Caribbean in winter. Following the Holland America Line takeover of the Home Lines, they sent Homeric back to her builders to be lengthened. She was then cut down the middle and fitted with a new 132-foot midsection that increased her size to 53,872 tons and 798 feet in length.

After being renamed Westerdam, she re-entered service with 9 passenger decks, 2 pools, 7 bars, casino, fitness center, 800 seat show lounge, 438 outside cabins, 250 inside cabins, can carry 1,497 passengers and a crew of 615.

On March 10th 2002, Westerdam left Fort Lauderdale for her last seven night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. The completion of that cruise saw her transferred to the Holland America Line’s sister company the Costa Cruise Line.

Under her new name Costa Europa, she was operated on 8,10&11 night cruises from Savona/Genoa - to various ports throughout the Mediterranean & Agean Seas. Seven night Middle East cruises departed from Dubai.

Costa Europa will leave Costa Cruises in April 2010 to be chartered by the United Kingdom - based Thomson Cruises for ten years. The charter agreement includes an option for Thomson Cruises to buy the ship.

Under the name Thomson Dream, she will mainly be operated on Caribbean cruises.

Websites, US: www.costacruise.com UK: www.costacruises.co.uk & www.thomson.co.uk/cruise.